Christian Marriage Articles

Is Unconditional Respect Foolish and Impossible While Unconditional Love Is Wise?

He Desires to Be First Among Equals, She Desires to Be First in Importance

He Desires to Be First Among Equals, She Desires to Be First in Importance

A husband has a need to be respected by his wife. That is what Paul teaches in Ephesians 5:33. As well, a wife has a need to be honored (respected) by her husband.

God’s “Secret” Became One Couple’s Miracle

God’s “Secret” Became One Couple’s Miracle

The love and respect connection is real—make no mistake. When I was reading Ephesians 5 one day in 1998, after having studied and taught from this chapter many times in my twenty years of preaching, God revealed this connection to me and it blew me away.

Is Unconditional Respect Foolish and Impossible While Unconditional Love Is Wise?

Is Unconditional Respect Foolish and Impossible While Unconditional Love Is Wise?

People who think culturally, not biblically oftentimes stumble over the idea of unconditional respect.

Why One Husband Struggles With Being the Spiritual Leader

Why One Husband Struggles With Being the Spiritual Leader

"My wife and I have been really struggling with our communication and our relationship; feels like we are two ships sailing in the night, which concerns me. I know I am responsible for what comes out of my mouth, which reveals what is in my heart. I have been trying to take responsibility for that and ask for forgiveness."

Three Reasons Why Your Husband May Not Be “More Open”

Three Reasons Why Your Husband May Not Be “More Open”

“Emerson, my husband is not as open and emotionally available as he should be. As a result, I don’t feel as close to him as I would like, and I even wonder if he trusts me.”

Why One Husband Struggles With Being the Spiritual Leader

Three Reasons Why Your Husband May Not Be “More Open”

Why Do Goodwilled Wives Feel Frustrated? Part 2

Why Do Goodwilled Wives Feel Frustrated? Part 2

We introduced the idea of the despotic husband who recognizes that his vulnerable and sensitive wife typically acquiesces to his bully tactics. But now we want to put a name to these tactics of his in hopes that he will recognize the bully in him and that this is not how a loving husband triggers respectful feelings in his wife.

Why do Goodwilled Wives Feel Frustrated? Part 1

Why do Goodwilled Wives Feel Frustrated? Part 1

There are many things that hurt and frustrate wives, but one complaint I get often is: “I must stuff my feelings, keep my mouth shut, and do as my husband says.” A wife wrote, "My husband and I attended your seminar. . . .

What Did You Do to Come Through Your Marital Crisis?

What Did You Do to Come Through Your Marital Crisis?

Have you come through a marital crisis? I’d love to hear your story. You could be the innocent victim with a wounded heart who experienced shock or the remorseful offender with a contrite heart who experienced shame. But before you e-mail me at story@loveandrespect.com, perhaps you could answer some questions that would spark your memory.The Six A’s. Let me say upfront that there could have been any number of reasons for the crisis.

19 Principles of Love and Respect In Marriage: Which Ones Do You Do Well?

19 Principles of Love and Respect In Marriage: Which Ones Do You Do Well?

Because God commands a husband to put on love toward his wife and a wife to come across respectfully to her husband (Ephesians 5:33), I have found it fascinating to think of the many ways of applying this instruction to the married. I believe many of you are making application of the positive aspects of the below 19 principles. As you read this list, which ones do you do well? Why?